Social media and web copy writing requires some unique skills. You need to be able to cram as much value into as few words as possible while being consistent and engaging at all times.

Jake Messier, CEO for HEARD Strategy & Storytelling

Jake Messier will bring more than 25 years’ media experience to The Communicators Club audience on March 13. He is a marketing and communications executive with deep roots in brand building, reputation management, team management, consumer marketing, strategic communications and advertising.

The Communicators Club will engage with Jake at a luncheon meeting from 11:45 to 1:15 Tuesday, March 13 at Smokestack Urban Barbecue. It’s a TCC favorite spot at 139 Green Street in Worcester. Don’t miss this web-focused professional development and networking opportunity.

A masterful storyteller, Jake’s award-winning video production work has served brands and integrated marketing campaigns that stand out. Prior to starting HEARD Strategy & Storytelling, he served as marketing director for WGBH, The Antiques Roadshow and Boston Conservancy and Vice President of Client Services at Callanan & Klein Communications, Executive Director of Alumni Relations at WPI and as an assignment editor at CBS News. He also worked in media affairs for the U.S. Marine Corps during his service from 1992-2001.

Jake also can be found spending time with his wife, three children, and his beloved Australian Herding Dogs.

Fake News: A Real Problem in a Post-Fact World

February 13 luncheon program

Dr. Kyle Moody, assistant professor of Communications Media at Fitchburg State University, researches and lectures on the fake news phenomenon. He shared in-person and take-home resources to identify this species, and shed light on exactly how it multiplies.

Creating a Call to Action

Tuesday, January 9, luncheon

Our action-packed, three-member panel struck a well-received note on the quick impression that can last and last. How to make it and how to make it work in your communications and self-promotion.

Holiday Lunch

Tuesday, December 5, O’Connor’s Restaurant

Elevate Your Elevator Pitch
November 1, 2017 luncheon

Jeanne Union of Union Sales Presentation Coaching brought her expertise to this program co-sponsored with Women in Development of Central Mass. She provided tips on the invaluable skill of selling yourself in an instant, the pop-up opportunity.

The Innovation Economy
October 17, 201/ luncheon speaker

Kevin O’Sullivan, CEO of Massachusetts Biomedical Initiative, revealed a lot of potential for communicators and others in the booming Innovation Economy in Greater Worcester: healthcare, biomed and higher ed. As a seasoned player in the Central Mass. development scene, he had some amusing and insightful looks back on how we got here.

Starting us off for our 2017-18 program year was a very practical and informative presentation by Hans Riemer, president and CEO of Market Vantage who discussed the evolution of search and social media platform advertising and how organic search and SEO have been downplayed in favor of revenue-producing services for the big players.

Worcester’s Innovation Economy
Oct. 17, 2017 luncheon program

Kevin O’Sullivan, CEO of the Massachusetts Biomedical Initiative and a longtime development activist in the city, led us through the evolution of Worcester as a hub for biomed, higher ed and healthcare and the many opportunities this creates for all of us.

A Look Back on Our 2016-17 events:

Chris Besse, who handles public information and social media for the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency told us what MEMA does before, during, and after emergencies and disasters and his role in disseminating public information. He revealed the inter-agency coordination necessary in accurate messaging as well as crisis communications lessons and strategies during disasters.

shared best practices to get publicity on the internet, TV, radio and news pages. These key news decision-makers shared aspects that are generally fruitful and some applicable to their particular media, agreeing that their deluge of emails does not deter them from responding to a good story well promoted. Panelists were

This event was sponsored in part by Pagio Publishing and Pulse Magazine.

2016 Holiday Social & Food Drive
Dec. 13 / Evening Event

At the hibachi tables of 7 Nana on Shrewsbury Street, we had lots to chatter about amid the flaming artistry of the chefs and our own conversation to fan the flames. Communications Trivia was a humbling but educational experience for the teams who played.

Per tradition, we took in food and monetary donations to the Worcester County Food Bank.

Partaking of the fare at Smokestack Urban Barbecue, we virtually marinated in the rolling story of the Canal District with speaker Allen Fletcher, one of the earliest visionaries to help bring about the current transformation into a mixed-used urban neighborhood brimming with vitality. A fascinating treat for any communicator wanting to “know the territory.”

Falling in Love With Visuals: PowerPoint and Cellphone Video
February 14, 2017 Luncheon

A double-dip Valentine’s Day lunch program: First, Doug Bonin helped a large turnout at El Basha win the epic battle against complex PowerPoint presentations with his presentation, “Crazy Simple.” Here are some recommended links from Doug.

Worcester’s Innovation Economy
March 14, 2017

Program with Kevin O’ Sullivan of the Mass Biotech Institute, cancelled due to a snowstorm, to is to be rescheduled in our 2017-18 program lineup.

Behind the Communications Scene at the DA’s Office
April 11, 2017 Luncheon

Tim Connolly, communications director for Worcester County District Attorney Joe Early, has learned about life behind the crime scene tape in more than 10 years on the job. It’s sometimes emotional work to dispassionately dole out what can be said about investigations into life-shattering crimes.

Tim shared some of that along with how he hopped the fence from a long news reporting career, first to statehouse publicity roles and later into the world of crime in Central Massachusetts. It was an eye-opener for him, and us.

The Communicators Club Annual Meeting
May 9, evening event featuring Margery Eagan of WGBH radio

We enjoyed Guest Margery Eagan,co-host of the WGBH “Boston Public Radio” mid-day program and Boston columnist.

This rare Worcester appearance for Ms. Eagan filled us in on a background and love for journalism that informs her work on radio, with plenty of audience questions from an audience attuned to media and politics..

We also honored our scholarship recipient, Isabella Sansone of Nichols College, while presenting her with a $1,000 award for her dynamism and accomplishment as a marketing major.

Half-year Memberships Now Available

Individual memberships only $40 to take you through our winter and spring slate of programs. Learn more and join — and tell your colleagues not to miss out!

One Big Tent for All Communications Professionals

Whether you work with pixels, ad budgets, news or a writer and editor's electronic pen: TCC Monthly Programs provide networking, professional development, and opportunity to share information in a friendly, informal atmosphere. We welcome any and all professional communicators to attend our meetings.

Refer a New Member, Drink the Benefits

New referral program for current members. Get a new one to name you as the source of their inspiration to join and spend 10 bucks at Starbucks or Dunkin' Donuts on us!
Refer them to our membership page to enroll.

cancellation policy

Cancellations must be received no later than 5pm on the Thursday immediately preceding the meeting to be eligible for a credit or refund. Payment will not be credited or refunded for cancellations after this deadline.

If you indicated you would be paying at the door, you will be billed for the meeting unless your cancellation is received by the above deadline.

cancellation policy

Cancellations must be received no later than 5pm on the Thursday immediately preceding the meeting to be eligible for a credit or refund. Payment will not be credited or refunded for cancellations after this deadline.

If you indicated you would be paying at the door, you will be billed for the meeting unless your cancellation is received by the above deadline.

now accepting applications for the 2018 Elaine Cencak Memorial scholarship